The Georgia Department of Labor has reported that the unemployment rate in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) declined to 5.6 percent in March, down one-half percent from 6.1 percent in February. The area's jobless rate was 6.5 percent in March 2005.

Meanwhile, Georgia's unemployment rate declined to 4.5 percent in March, down six-tenths of one percent from 5.1 percent in February.

The number of people employed in Georgia increased by 30,452 in

March. While the number of people working increased, so did the number of newly created jobs. Georgia added 20,800 non-farm jobs from February to March and has gained 102,700 over the past 12-month period.

Most of the jobs gained from February to March were in trade and services. During the same onemonth period last year, Georgia added 7,500 jobs, with many of those also in trade and services. Georgia's jobless rate stood at 5.2 percent in March 2005.